I remember when I was a kid my parents always told me to never put my finger in a light socket. They told me that it was for my own good and that it was very dangerous, but for the life of me I couldn’t understand why. I think them telling me this only increased my fascination and I was determined to find out what was so treacherous about putting your finger in that little hole. You see the difference between my parents and I was all I saw was a little metal hole that didn’t look scary at all. My parents on the other hand saw volts of electricity, harm and danger. Well all of my suspicions and curiosity was laid to rest one day when I decided to stick my thumb into the empty light socket of the freezer and succumb to the temptation. For the next, what seemed like an eternity, but probably minute I stood there frozen. The electricity coursing through my body immobilized me and I had to cry out for someone to come unplug me. Often times this is exactly what sin is like in our lives. Although many people around us tell us of the dangers we turn a deaf ear because we don’t see it for what it really. Instead of seeing something dangerous, we see something fascinating, something almost sweetly calling our name. How do we overcome and make a stand against the light sockets in our lives. That is what I want to speak to you about this morning.
Recognize sin for what it is (vs.5-8)
We live in a society that has basically tried to do away with absolute truth and replaced it with situational ethics and human rights. On top of that sinful things are more accessible today then they have ever been. Pleasure and self-indulgence are encouraged and the things of the ‘flesh’ have been elevated to equal happiness and success. Sin has been candy coated, which isn’t a new thing really. What we need to understand is that no matter what picture we are given of sin by society we cannot be fooled. Sin is not a simple mistake, an oops, it is direct hostility towards everything that God is. If you are controlled by your sins then there is death. Now just for clarity sake let’s define what sin is.
Definition of Sin: Transgression of divine law; a wilful or deliberate violation of some godly principle.
Something that often helps me is when I can visualize what people are trying to describe to me. Recently one of the most popular children’s book collections were made into blockbuster movies called ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Has anyone ever heard of them? I want to show you a clip from one of the movies this morning to illustrate what sin really is. Please understand that I am trying to make a point so don’t think I am trying to bring something evil into the church. Often times when we see sin we see it as this:
• A kitten – non-threatening, cute, huggable…
• Things – we are material girls in a material world right
• Money – never enough, everyone wants more, biggest
measure of success in our society
• Sex – the lust for physical pleasures, it sells!
• Balrog – THIS IS SIN! (Balrog) evil, destructive,
threatening, painful, and ultimately out to ruin you for eternity.
We must see that sin is not about one little momentary pleasure or fancy, but the enemy of our souls making an effort to keep us weak, wounded and useless for the Kingdom. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” We must be vigilant and guard ourselves from sin. We must take a stand, which you would if you always looked at it as threatening and dangerous. There is nothing fascinating about something that wants you dead.
Realize we can win (vs.9-12)
Once you can recognize sin for what it is then you can see how, through Jesus, you can defeat sin. When you have given rule of your life over to Jesus then you are no longer a slave to sin. It does not control you and you do not have to give in to your impulses and desires. The Spirit now controls you, but not in the way that a robot is controlled. When you have God in your life you have the option to take a stand for what is right and beat sin in your life. What you will soon realize as a Christian is that temptation still comes even after salvation. There are still things that you will find a struggle to overcome.
Our job as believers is to not think of those temptations as bigger or stronger then you. You have no obligation any more to give into that side of you that does evil things, things that are against God. You now have the authority over principalities, demons and Satan himself. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus and he is with us, even until the end of the age (Mat. 28:20). It also says in James 4:7, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” When troubles and temptations come you must know and be convinced in your heart that you can have victory over them, no matter how difficult they may be.
React with power and authority (vs.13-14)
With this in mind we must learn how to turn and fight our sinful nature. Now I know that this can sound as if you are fighting yourself here, which seems a bit cookoo, but hear me out. Every human being has, in their heart of hearts, the desire to please self. Whatever is good for me is the best result and I will do what ever I need to do to get that result. Once you begin reading the Word of God you see that we were created for a much different purpose. This God given purpose is one of serving and selflessness. These two things are opposite. If you want to live a life that pleases God while at the same time brings you a fulfillment that is more than just momentary pleasure then you need God. Once you make God part of the equation then you are no longer bound to your selfish desires. As we said those temptations don’t go away, but you can win over them and chose a life worthy of your godly calling.
When you find yourself in a situation where you are faced with your sinful nature and sense the enemy of our souls looking to tear you down, defeat and destroy you then you must call on the powerful name of Jesus. Don’t try and overcome in your own will, for we cannot please God in our own strength. If you call of God in your moment of temptation, through the authority of Jesus Christ you can defeat the enemy and overcome your sinful nature. React with power and live the life Jesus sacrificed his life so that we could have. Cry out… “You shall not pass; you will not win, not today, not anymore!” This is not crazy talk, its power. We don’t believe in magic chants or spells, we believe and call on the power of a real and living God. We are way to self-confident. We need to rely on God more than ever before. We must access His power and authority and be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who gives us strength (vs.37).
Conclusion
So who or what can stand against you this morning? Nothing for if God is for us, who can ever be against us? I would like it for everyone in this place to know victory this morning of the enemy of our souls. Too many people are like I was frozen with their fingers in sin. They can’t move and they are immobilized. I would like to see some chains broken in this place. I would like to see people freed from what they think are things that they cannot overcome. If you need victory over something in your life this morning that the enemy is using to destroy you then I want to pray over you. Let’s believe this morning for miracles. Let’ have faith to believe that God can and will give us victory over Satan. We will no longer let our old nature be in control, today our lives belong to God and we will fight back and win!
